about

Ambient space music with influences of berlin school electronics are a few words to describe the new project of Phelios mastermind Martin Stürtzer. Each track carries a set of carefully programmed sequences and sounds that are played and recorded in improvised live studio sessions using analog synths and drum machines as well as state of the art digital tools. No samples or presets have been used while creating this music.

credits

released August 3, 2017

(c) Martin Stürtzer 2017. Recorded between December 2016 and July 2017.

Everything I love about dark ambient can be found in this album. So soft and resonant at times, with touches of prominent instrumentation to call you back in, Onyx is just...relaxing and beautiful and dark. The titular track, Onyx, even has echoes of Alan Parson's Project's Edgar Alan Poe album. Not sure if this was intentional, but it was still surprising yet wonderfully executed. I'd actually enjoy more ambient with this throwback feel. CyhAnide

Shifting soundscapes and escalation guide you through each song like a soundtrack to a movie that exists only in your mind. Everything Onyx delivered, Echo brings back and builds upon. A bit more modern, I think, whereas I got a lot of 70's/80's instrumental vibes from its predecessor. I'd heard All Dreams Mined in one of the yearly collections, and it drove me to get the entire album. Absolutely worth it. CyhAnide